Gowda and Tintu to head Indian challenge

Discus thrower Vikas Gowda, who won a bronze in the Asian Games last year, and woman middle-distance runner Tintu Luka will spearhead the Indian challenge at the World Athletics Championships to be held at Daegu, South Korea from August 27 to September 4.

Discus thrower Vikas Gowda, who won a bronze in the Asian Games last year, and woman middle-distance runner Tintu Luka will spearhead the Indian challenge at the World Athletics Championships to be held at Daegu, South Korea from August 27 to September 4.

Other notable athletes in the eight-member squad are shot putter Om Prakash Singh Karhana, triple jumper Renjith Maheswari and Mayookha Johny who qualified as the Asian champion in long jump (6.56m) and did a 14.11m in triple jump to make the grade.

Om Prakash had a 20.04 in the Hungarian meet last month.

Luka recently managed to clock her best time of the season in Belgium, claiming the silver medal in the 800m with a timing of 2:01.75. The contingent will leave for the event on August 22.